Frequently asked questions

Wild Māra is a handmade natural soap and body care brand based in Nelson, New Zealand. Wild Māra’s founder, Debbie is a qualified NZ pharmacist with a love for herbal medicine and aromatherapy, she creates small-batch soaps, shampoo bars, conditioner bars, balms, bath salts, lip balms, body scrubs, body lotion, eye pillows, and gift boxes using plant-based ingredients, homegrown organic botanicals, and simple skin-friendly formulations. Body care products that turn an everyday shower or bath into a sensory ritual.
The name “Māra” refers to garden in te reo Māori.

YES! Absolutely. Wild Māra soaps are herbal soap bars. They are made using the traditional cold-process technique and contain botanicals or medicinal herbals grown in the Wild Māra garden or wild harvested locally. They require at least a 4-6 week cure before they are ready to be enjoyed, this enables full saponification to occur and excess water to evaporate thus producing a very hard, longer lasting bar of soap.

Handmade cold-process soap can provide a simple, low-waste alternative to liquid body wash. Wild Māra’s soap bars are made in small batches in Nelson, New Zealand with plant-based ingredients such as cold-pressed oils, butters, homegrown botanicals, pure essential oils and mineral clays. Different bars are formulated for different skin needs, including dry, sensitive, oily, mature and blemish-prone skin.

Before you use your soap, keep in a cool, dry place such as a cupboard. Once in use, keep your soap on a well drained surface like a soap dish or hang in a soap saver. The more it drys out between uses, the more time it can spend with you. I include a soap care card with every purchase.

Because of the natural ingredients (plant oils, butters, clays, hydrosol, essential oils) & if the soaps are stored correctly before using-cool, dark cupboard, then the quality of the soap should last a year.

A hydrosol is an aromatic botanical water. I like to call it “the soul of the botanical”. Obtained via steam or hydro distillation using a distiller or a traditional copper alembic. The end result is a rich aromatic & intense hydrating botanical water which has therapeutic properties. I use hydrosols in my soap formulations instead of plain distilled water. It just adds that next level of botanical goodness and I find the soaps are more creamier and luxurious. Win Win!

Wild Māra uses natural ingredients such as homegrown medicinal botanicals/herbals, cold-pressed plant oils, butters, mineral clays, and pure therapeutic essential oils.

No! Wild Māra products are formulated without any fillers, parabens, or synthetic fragrances. No Nasties. Just “Naturally Kind”.

Wild Māra products are for people looking for “natural skincare made in New Zealand” with a focus on botanical, herbal ingredients and simple formulations. Wild Māra products are pharmacist-formulated for even the most sensitive skin.

A solid shampoo bar is a concentrated water-free, hair and scalp-cleansing product without the bottle. Wild Mara makes solid shampoo bars for different hair and scalp needs. They are also very convenient for travel due to being compact.

A solid conditioner bar is a concentrated, water-free conditioner designed to help soften, smooth, detangle and nourish hair without a plastic bottle. Wild Māra makes solid conditioner bars for light detangling and deep nourishing of hair and are formulated to complement a solid shampoo bar routine.

It is a fabric eye pillow filled with a calming botanical blend and brown rice, designed to rest gently over closed eyes during relaxation, yoga, meditation or bedtime. It can also be used warmed or cooled.

I will generally get your order ready as soon as I receive it or if I’m busy it can be up to 3 days. I use NZ post & abide by their postal times. Allow up to 2 to 5 business days to receive your order. Extra if you live rurally or during peak times. Get in touch with me if you require your order sooner.

Urban - Flat rate $10.00
Rural - Flat rate $16.50

NZ only

Please let me know as soon as possible (within 48 hours) & I will see what I can do to help you out. I may need a photo also.

Due to hygiene reasons, unfortunately I do not accept returns if you have changed your mind, dislike a product texture or scent.

Absolutely! I can also pop a wee card in, just let me know what you would like written on the card at check out.